Hawaii Volcano Situation

[mottseng]

Just curious if the volcano situation in Hawaii has had any effect on boats cruising in the area of any marinas?

[atoll]

Originally Posted by mottseng

Just curious if the volcano situation in Hawaii has had any effect on boats cruising in the area of any marinas?

probably only the risk of a tsunami if there is a major seismic event.

lava flows are in a very small area on the windward side of the island,where there are no marinas

[roverhi]

Unless you elect to get close, very close to the eruption it has no effect other than air quality. The ash/gas plume extends south from the lava vents to the southern part of the Big Island and then most goes out over empty ocean. Some of the Vog gets sucked around the tip of the island and, depending on wind, can effect more than half the Kona side of the Island. When we are talking Vog's effect on the Kona side, it's like a clear day in Los Angeles. A few people who are especially susceptible to air quality issues are effected but that's very few people. FYI, the volcano has been going off CONSTANTLY for more than 40 years. It only hits the news when it vents in populated areas in the Puna district.

Not to downplay the volcanic emissions in the area of the actual eruptions but it has little effect on other areas unless there is some very unusual wind conditions. It has effected hotel bookings which are all most all on the Kona coast by people who are paniced by sensationalism of the news coverage.

[WingRyder]

I have been to the big island several times, the volcano is pretty benign, unless you own property in its path. In fact, it is one of the few places on earth where you can safely watch an eruption. It is friggin' amazing. I can't see it having ANY effect on your plans for Hawaii. In fact, I would go there just to watch it!

[Don C L]

Hilo is relatively close and as far as I know as of a couple weeks ago flights are going in and out normally. As long as trade winds blow, the cloud moves down south.

[roverhi]

An update. Last week we had the heaviest vog i've seen in Kona. Visibility was down to 4 miles or so for a few days. Don't know what meteorological conditions brought the vog in but it was like the '70s in LA. Don't think the volcano is any less active so conditions must have been weather related. I'm on the mainland for a week but understand the vog is mostly gone and Kona is back to the typical condition of the last 35 years. As long as the winds blow in their normal 24/7/340 direction the serious effects of the volcano will be pretty much limited to the immediate vicinity of the eruption. Little consolation for those who've lost their homes or been mandatorily evacuated to shelters or wherever.

If the rare Kona winds set in, Hilo will be under the noxious gas plume which will have a profound effect on them as they are so close to the eruption area.

Biggest negative effect is on tourism which is the life blood of our economy. Cruise ships have crossed Hilo off their itinerary and they are stopping in Kona intermittently depending on air quality. Bookings at hotels on the Kona Coast are down. If the drop in tourism continues, that will have a much larger effect on the population of the island than those directly affected by the volcano.